Plug attachment



March 4, 1930. A. G. ZINMAN 1,749,623

PLUG ATTACHMENT Filed Feb. 14, 1929 'ff/wl wmmllmlllw INVENT Pa'itpted Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLUG ATTACHMENT Application filed February 14, 1929. Serial N'o. 339,778.

This invention relates to improvements in electric plug devices, and particularly, to devices of this class, applied in association with electric plugs, used in the ordinary sockets on electric appliances, household appliances and wall sockets,

One of the diiliculties encountered in the present time in the use by the housewife of electrical necessities, resides in the tendency of the electrical connector cords of the plug, becoming torn or loose at the contacts, or separated at the contacts leading to the prong members therein, due to the fact that the user, particularly, women, in removing the plug from the socket, does such operation by grasping the electric cord, instead of the plug proper, which due to its size and shape, cannot be grasp-cd readily. Further, the. wounn users by nature. have a 'fear and aversion io- Wards touching electrical contacting or carrying mechanisms, and consequently, tearing that a shock or other accident will happen if the plug is withdrawn from the socket by grasping, and will in most cases grasp the cords and withdraw the plug from the socket in that manner.

It is an object of this invention therefore, to provide for an accessory or associated element, which can be attached either separably or fixedly to the base of the plug, and which has thereon, means whereby -the user may remove the plug from the socket Without touching the plug or electric cords leading thereto.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention, to provide for a novel element in the form of a disk, having therein apertures for the passage therethrough of the conducting prongs of a plug, which disk is adapted to rest against the base or face of the plug next adjacent the face of the socket, which element, has associated therewith, a ribbon or other gripping member, whereby a force exerted upon the ribbon will be transmitted to the element and to the socket, to the plug v across the :face or base thereof, whereby the plug may be removed from the wall socket, or other socket, without in any way affecting the physical or electrical condition of the connecting cords, in such plug.

Further, it is an object of this invention, to

provide for a novel form of gripping member in association with the disk, as applied to the face or base of a plug, which gripping member passes directly acrossor is imbedded within the surface of the disk, preferably along the exterionsurface thereof, whereby theV drawing upon such ribbon, by the user will impart a pull or pressure all along the face of the disk and of course the plug, Whereby the removal of the plug from the socket, that is, the separation of thev prongs of the plug from the resilient contact elements in the socket is carried on throughk a single act-uation or pull by the operator. y

These and other advantages, capabilities, and features of the. invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of one specific embodiment therefor illustrated in the acctmipanying drawing, in which Figure l, is a perspective view of a plug, fitting into a wall socket with the appliance positioned .in actual use.-

Figure 2, is a side elevation in section, taken along lines 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3, is a plan view of the device, prior to the application of the plug;

Figure 4, is a 'front elevation in section taken along lines H of Figure 3;

Figure 5, is a plan View of a modified-form ot the device;

Figure 6, is a ront elevation in section, along lines 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7, is a plan view of a further modified form of the device;

Figure 8, is a side elevation in section taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7 Referring to the reference characters in the drawing, numeral 10, represents an attachable plug head of the construction commonly used for sockets of various ty es, particularly for wall sockets. Numera 11, repre sents a socket panel into which the receptacle portion or the adapted portion of the socket (not shown) is positioned.

The-device forming the subject matter of this invention, comprises an insulating strip 12, preferably formed of a phenolic condensation product, or vulcanized fibre, usually in the -form of a disk having ears 13 thereon, as applied to a. wall socket, though it 1s within the province of this invention to provide for a circular disk as shown in Figures 5 and 6, for application, where the electric light plug is to .be inserted into an electric light socket, within a shade. This disk 12,

is of comparatively small thickness, and has formed therein a lurality of apertures 14 and 14, through w ich the conductor prongs extending from the plug member, and fitting into the slots of the socket member (not shown) leading to the contacts therein, are adapted to pass. l

As shown in Figures 4 and 7 a plurality of apertures 15 and 15 are rovided on opposite sides of the disk and `1n the plane trans verse to that of the apertures 14 and 14', a band or ribbon 16, formed of a nonconducting material, which may be rigid or flexible, as desired, which ribbon 16, passes through both apertures 15 and 15', and is fastened to form a loop as at 19.

As shown in Figure 4, there may be a groove 17, which may be formed between the apertures 14 and 14,"and into which groove a band or ribbon 16, may pass, whereby to present a fiat contacting surface-on both sides of the disk, contacting respectively with the socket receptacle, and with the face or portion of the plug from which the prongs 14 project. n

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the insulat-l ing member is circular, so that the plug carrymg the disk may be applied to the socket portion of lamp sockets, wherein the space for manipulation of the plug is limited. In this structure, a groove 17 is formed across the disk and the ribbon 16 is fastened therein, preferably by pasting, riveting or eyeletmg.

It should be noted (as shown in Figure 2) that the band 16, extends substantially completely, across the surface of the disk :and the plug, between the prongs, so that a drawing action on the free end of the band 16, will cause a force to be applied equally all along the face of the disk, whereby the plug will be withdrawn throughout a positive pull, throughout the central zone along its diameter, whereby complete withdrawal of the plug from the socket, will be assured, without any breakage of plug parts, or short circuiting due to improper electrical disconnection.

Likewise, through the use of this invention, it can be seen that the electrical conductor cords, or cables 18, are not handled or acted upon by the userin the insertion and withdrawal of the plug, whereby the mechanical electrical contact of the cord ends, with the conductors in the plug, cannot be affected through sudden pulling forces exerted thereon.

ifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general in said groove, the said ends beino tied or.

knotted, whereby the application oia force to said ribbon is transmitted to the surface of the disk and to the plug, whereby the same may be displaced from a wall socket.

2. An attachment for electric plugs, adapted for attachment with the plug, without -altering the structure thereof, said attachment comprising a disk, adapted to be mounted on the base of said plug, and'provided with apertures for the passage therethrough of the prongs projecting from said plug, a groove extending across said disk, in the area be! tween said apertures, and a band fixed in said groove and having a loop forming a part thereof, whereby the plug and the disk carried thereby may be displaced from a socket.

ALBERT G. ZINMAN.

It is obvious that various changes and mod- A 

